Automation Networks THE CONNECTED ENTERPRISE Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc. Discover the Many Facets of Mitsubishi Electric. The Power in Automation Solutions.
The Network hierarchy Today s automation marketplace offers a wide range of networks, both open and manufacturer specific. While both end-users and OEMs use them, the needs of each can be very different. As an automation pioneer, Mitsubishi offers one of the broadest network portfolios available. From simple distributed I/O to a complete network hierarchy, Mitsubishi can provide the right solution for your needs. Manufacturer Specific vs. Open? Do you want a single vendor solution, or do you want the flexibility of selecting components from a range of suppliers? Priorities change from customer to customer, project to project. Some want the security and convenience of single vendor. Others feel comfortable doing their own integration, and want the flexibility to pick and choose from a variety of suppliers. We understand both approaches and offer a broad range of network solutions accordingly. Our network portfolio stacks up as shown here.
Enterprise Level: Use our Q Automation Platform, A & QnA rack based controllers, or MC Industrial Computers as a bridge to upper level enterprise "front office" functions from plant floor networks. Our FX Supermicro controllers also offer connectivity to Ethernet for lower level applications. MC Industrial Computers can provide SCADA control of plant floor processes and lines from this level via our MC-WORX suite of applications. Leverage existing LAN/WAN and Internet infrastructures to extract plant floor data for use anywhere in your organization or anywhere in the world with appropriate security measures Connect dissimilar legacy controller installations with Mitsubishi s innovative multi-vendor compatible HMI enabled Ethernet communications system, unifying communications throughout your plant Supported Networks: Ethernet 100base-T, 10base-T, 10base-5, 10base-2 (TCP/IP, UDP/IP, Communication (MC) Protocol) Control Level: Connect multiple automation cells or separate lines together using control level networking via the Q Automation Platform TM or our A & QnA rack based controllers. Coordinate plant floor operations at the controller level without the need for higher level supervisory control Enable maintenance personnel to access controller programs and data anywhere on a shop floor via network access Peer to peer communications Simple implementation and software support Guaranteed operation via redundancy features Supported Networks: Ethernet (FL-Net, Modbus/TCP, MC Protocol), NET/H, NET/10 Device Level: Within a machine, system or line, link a wide variety of automation devices to a controller by using one simple network Supported by all our controllers Eliminate costly wiring harnesses by replacing multiple wiring runs with one simple cable Integrate HMIs, VFDs, controllers, I/O and other control devices on the same network Improve system performance by increasing controller to device communication speeds and adding diagnostic information Supported Networks: CC-Link, Ethernet (Modbus/TCP), Profibus-DP, DeviceNet, Modbus Plus/RTU, SSCNET, LonWorks Sensor Level: Apply Device Level network benefits to simple digital I/O Supported by most of our controllers Connect I/O with no cutting or stripping of cable, making wiring faster and more foolproof Supported Networks: CC-Link/LT, AS-i Note: In this brochure, "A & QnA " refers to the AnN,AnA,AnU,AnSH, QnA and QnAS(H) controller lines in general.
Enterprise Level: Ethernet Originally, Ethernet was a way to integrate manufacturing operations with the rest of the company s information systems. Today, Ethernet has spread to lower levels of the hierarchy. Our Ethernet solution divides into three main areas: Controller integration with higher level systems Our Q Automation Platform TM, A & QnA rack based controllers, and MC Industrial Computers are easily integrated into an existing LAN infrastructure to extract information for front office or SCADA use. Key features of the offering are: Up to 100Mbit communication speeds 100/10base-T, 10base-2 (coaxial) and 10base-5 (AUI) type connections Support for a variety of Internet related technologies, including FTP and email, allowing controllers, their data and programs to be accessed from anywhere in the world via remote Internet links Multiple levels of security prevent unauthorized system access Remote system management offers the opportunity to reduce downtime, cut service costs and improve system performance Network bridging Protocol Support Ethernet is typically the physical layer for a wide variety of application & transport layer protocols. Mitsubishi Electric supports a wide variety of these protocols, including: Communication (MC) Protocol, TCP/IP & UDP/IP, FL-Net (Control Level), Modbus/TCP (Device Level), HTTP, SMTP & POP3 The MC Protocol is Mitsubishi Electric s publicly available, standardized communication format for communicating with our Q Automation Platform TM via Ethernet or serial connections. Alternately, the Q and our A & QnA controllers can emulate a third party communications protocol. Mitsubishi Electric supports the Modbus/TCP Ethernet application layer protocol for communication between third party devices. This allows you to network a variety of third party devices to our Q Automation Platform TM for control or device level networking via Ethernet media. Linking mutually incompatible systems Many of today s plants have a variety of legacy controller installations. Different systems were installed depending on the need at the time. Even with the best intentions, often areas of the plant are isolated by communications incompatibilities. This makes sharing information difficult, options for control get limited, and a less efficient operation results. In response, we offer an industry leading solution to link dissimilar controllers. Using an innovative HMI based Ethernet link, we can link systems from most third party vendors to provide a single, seamless gateway to most shop floor systems. Key features of this solution include: Economical HMI systems offer literally dozens of third party drivers to connect to virtually any existing controller installation Economical 10base-T links offer a familiar network topology. 10base-2 is also available. Allows access to information in all controllers on the network, no matter who they were made by Lowest cost cross platform integration solution available today
Control Level: NET/H & NET/10, FL-Net There is still a requirement for dedicated control level networks that offer secure, high performance, deterministic communications. Our response to this is NET/H. NET/H offers up to 25Mbit/s performance, outperforming many industrial Ethernet installations. It offers secure, deterministic communications with enough reliability to satisfy the most conservative plant engineers. NET/H is fully supported by the Q Automation Platform TM, and in the form of NET/10 is compatible with selected Mitsubishi rack based controllers and HMIs. Our MC Industrial Computers may also be linked to NET/H via PCI interface cards. Reliability, Availability & Serviceability (RAS) features: Available dual-loop media configuration offers dual redundancy, guaranteeing maximum uptime (single coax bus version also available) Master/slave configuration insures full determinism by avoiding bus arbitration used in other networks Dual-redundant floating master capability; if main network master goes off-line, back-up automatically takes over without any programming Loop-back functions; if loop is broken, network traffic is automatically looped back round the intact path to maintain communication, without any programming Performance features: Up to 25Mbit/s Up to 30km total distance per network Deterministic cyclic communications/transient communications for priority communication Scalable to any application via multiple network capability (over 15,000 stations per system) Cost saving features: Network configuration tools included in our standard programming suite, GX-Developer; no additional software required Automatic communication features reduces engineering time and program complexity Choose economical coax or high-performance optical fiber media I/O and HMI can also reside directly on the network, lowering costs of operator stations and allowing complex remote I/O nodes without a controller Maintenance productivity features: Access any controller in the network from any other, maximizing the effectiveness of maintenance personnel Entire network system may be monitored and programs maintained from one location Extensive diagnostic functions for rapid troubleshooting FL-Net FL-Net is an open standard for control level networking based on Ethernet with a dedicated protocol. As with NET/H, FL-Net addresses the Ethernet determinism issues with a communication protocol that assures the required performance levels. Since FL-Net uses Ethernet for its physical layer, it offers the benefit of being able to use existing Ethernet infrastructure for communications. FL-Net is fully supported by the Q Automation Platform ṬM
Device Level: CC-Link CC-Link is an open, device level network that provides high speed communication between diverse types of automation devices over a single cable. It is ideally suited to machine, cell or process control in a variety of industries ranging from semiconductor to food and beverage, automotive to pharmaceuticals, material handling to building automation. Since its introduction in 1997 by Mitsubishi Electric, CC-Link has reached an installed base of over 1.5 million nodes worldwide. CC-Link became an open network in 2000, and has since accumulated over 500 members into its administrative organization, the CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA). CLPA s product portfolio now totals approximately 500 different items from well known companies such as Belden, Festo, HMS, Leoni, Mitsubishi Electric, Pepperl & Fuchs, SMC, Sunx, Woodhead, Wago, and Yaskawa. CC-Link is being used widely throughout North America, in a broad array of applications from OEM machinery companies to large scale end users. The new V2.0 specification boosts the I/O capacity of the network while maintaining backwards compatibility.
So why should you consider it for your application? Cost savings. CC-Link replaces costly wiring harnesses with a single cable, while adding performance and diagnostic features not possible with discrete wiring. Performance. CC-Link offers 10Mbit/s across all devices, regardless of type; not a typical device level network feature. Combined with an efficient communication protocol, this insures that a CC-Link system is able to update over 8000 I/O in 4 milliseconds. Capacity. CC-Link V2.0 can handle over 8000 I/O on a single network segment between 100 and 1200 meters long (up to 13.2 km with repeaters), divided amongst 64 stations, meaning that complex systems can easily be accommodated Economical installation. CC-Link operates using low cost cables, with no special connectors or other hidden infrastructure costs. A CC-Link cable that includes both power and signal conductors is also available, reducing the labor & material costs involved in an installation. Simple engineering. Many first time users of CC-Link are surprised by how little programming is required to configure a network and get it running. This translates to savings in development costs. From Mitsubishi Electric s perspective, no special software or device profiles are required, as all necessary tools are included in our GX Developer suite. An optional graphical configuration tool is also available. Reliability. CC-Link was designed to offer maximum availability through a variety of RAS (Reliability, Availability & Serviceability) functions. These include control redundancy, station maintenance during network operation, hot-swap capability, a comprehensive diagnostic capability, and the ability to program over the network. Support. CLPA and partner vendors provide support for CC-Link worldwide. Freedom of choice. From the various partner products, CC-Link can offer you a variety of automation components that cover most application requirements. Mitsubishi Electric supports CC-Link with virtually every automation product we offer. Many companies throughout North America have already put CC-Link to the test and found it surpassed their expectations. Contact your local Mitsubishi Elecric representative to see how CC-Link can solve the challenges of your application. For more CC-Link product details, please consult the latest edition of the CC-Link Product Catalog.
Device Level: Profibus-DP Profibus-DP is one of the most widespread open device level networks on a global basis. If you re in the business of exporting your systems, Profibus is probably high on your list of open network possibilities. Given Mitsubishi Electric s global reach, it should come as no surprise that this also forms one of our broadest open network offerings. We can configure complete Profibus systems from master controllers all the way down to simple I/O blocks residing on the DP network. Our support for Profibus also includes a staff of certified Profibus Network Engineers and membership in the PTO (Profibus Trade Organization). Our full Profibus-DP line-up covers: Q Automation Platform TM and A & QnA Rack Based Controller master stations Perform supervisory control over a DP network segment Combine multiple DP segments, with other network types such as Ethernet on the same controller 12Mbit/s communications speed 126 stations/segment Can also function as Profibus slave FX Supermicro controllers Local control stations allow control to be distributed under the supervision of rack based controllers Allows economical, powerful control stations to be placed locally as the need arises Add analog I/O, motion control capability to each FX station, allowing powerful, flexible distributed control possibilities May also be used a supervisory master controller E HMI systems A wide variety of powerful HMI units; range from simple text displays to high resolution color touch screens Can reside directly on the DP network; no need for a controller, allowing flexible, economical HMI display placement Use as bridges to add serial devices (bar code readers, etc) to the DP network NEMA 4 rated E/A/F/V500 Variable Frequency Drives A wide variety of advanced VFD options Covers several voltage classes Ratings from fractional to over 1000HP available Integrate large distributed VFD systems, such as HVAC or conveyor applications easily under Profibus control I/O Systems Full range of I/O devices covering discrete and analog control Available in both bus and node style, allowing flexible combinations of discrete and analog control Allows inputs or outputs to be placed economically where required without the expense of a controller node Motion Control Systems Add Mitsubishi servo motion control systems to a Profibus network under control of a FX local station Flexible decentralized control removes motion control overhead from DP master Wide range of servo types available from 50-55, 000W GX-Configurator DP graphical Windows based configuration software Configure the network graphically Configure master station parameters Define node parameters Maintain a database of GSD files
Device Level: DeviceNet On the lower end of the device level performance scale, DeviceNet has established a popular base. In keeping with our mission to support our customers with all their network requirements, Mitsubishi Electric as an ODVA (Open DeviceNet Vendors Association) member, offers a solution to form the foundation of your DeviceNet system. Any of our rack based controllers can master a number of DeviceNet network segments to allow you to integrate DeviceNet into a larger system which may call for the additional capabilities and flexibility of another Mitsubishi network system. Our DeviceNet offering currently includes: Q Automation Platform TM and A & QnA Rack Based Controller master stations Perform supervisory control over a DeviceNet network segment Combine multiple DeviceNet segments, and integrate them with other networks such as Ethernet on the same controller Full DeviceNet communications compatibility, including polling, bit strobe, change of state and cyclic functions Up to 63 slaves per segment Link any of our HMI systems to the network via the master or local controllers (FX Supermicro) E500/A500 Variable Frequency Drives A wide variety of advanced VFD options Covers several voltage classes Ratings from fractional to over 1000HP available Integrate large distributed VFD systems, such as HVAC or conveyor applications easily under DeviceNet control Motion Control Systems Add Mitsubishi servo motion control systems to DeviceNet network under control of an FX local station Flexible decentralized control unburdens the network from low-level motion control overhead Wide range of servo types available from 50 55,000W FX Supermicro controllers Adds economical, powerful local control stations, linked to supervisory controllers via DeviceNet Offers greater capability and flexibility than simple distributed I/O blocks Add analog I/O, motion control capability to each FX station, allowing powerful, flexible distributed control possibilities Third party devices Choose from over 350 DeviceNet products from over 300 different vendors
Sensor Level: CC-Link/LT The final layer of the network hierarchy is the sensor level network. This offers an inexpensive method of replacing dedicated wiring harnesses for simple digital I/O devices. To address this layer, Mitsubishi Electric offers a version of CC-Link tailored to the requirements of this level with CC- Link/LT. CC-Link/LT offers a way to easily connect discrete I/O to a controller with a minimum of labor and installation costs, while maintaining flexibility for future changes. Key features: Keyed cable with "vampire" style connections removes need to cut and strip cable; devices simply clip on to the network cable. No special tools required to make connections I/O blocks available as small as 2 I/O Fast response; update 1024 I/O in 2 ms Run cabling up to 500 meters Can be connected to CC-Link via optional bridge module Master modules available for Q Automation Platform TM and FX Supermicro family AS-i AS-i is the Actuator Sensor Interface, a complementary sensor level network to CC-Link/LT. AS-i shares many of the benefits available with CC-Link/LT, including the convenient "vampire" style device connection.
Networks Overview Product MC Industrial Computer Family Q Automation Platform QnA & QnAS(H) AnN, AnA, AnU AnSH FX2N/FX2NC Supermicro FX1N Supermicro FX1S Supermicro Alpha/Alph2 Simple Application Controller Distributed I/O Systems A900GOT E S500 E500 F500(L) A500(L) V500(L) MELSERVO MR-J2 Super Enterprise Level Ethernet TCP/IP Ethernet UDP/IP Email FTP HTTP Control Level NET/H NET/10 NET/II NET/B Profibus FMS Device Level CC-Link SSC Net Profibus-DP DeviceNet LonWorks MODBUS/TCP MODBUS Plus MODBUS RTU Serial Multidrop (RS485) Sensor Level CC-Link/LT AS-i I/O Link (3) (3) (PCI card) (PCI card) (1) (1) (2) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (PCI card) (4) (PCI card) (1) Key: Supported Not Supported Notes: (1) Via third party products (2) Slave only (3) Requires AnU for full compatibility (4) Via CC-Link AJ65BT-G4-S3 module
Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc. 500 Corporate Woods Parkway Vernon Hills, IL 60061 Phn: (847) 478-2100 Fax: (847) 478-2253 www.meau.com Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc. 4299 14th Avenue Markham, Ontario L3R 0J2 Phn: (905) 475-8989 Fax: (905) 475-7935 Printed with Soy inks. Effective April, 2004. Specifications subject to change without notice. L-VH-06030 Changes for the Better Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc. Discover the Many Facets of Mitsubishi Electric. The Power in Automation Solutions. Automation Platforms Industrial Computers Programmable Logic Controllers Servo Systems Motion Control Variable Frequency Drives Human Machine Interfaces Uninterruptible Power Supply Systems Software Computerized Numerical Controllers PC Based Control Robots Industrial Sewing Equipment